The Federal Government of Nigeria has secured a significant $25.35 million concessionary loan from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, earmarked to support a major initiative aimed at drastically reducing the number of out-of-school children in Kaduna State.
This facility forms part of a broader $62.8 million blended financing package assembled with various international development partners.
The comprehensive funding is designed to expand access to quality and inclusive education in Kaduna, one of Nigeria’s regions most affected by the out-of-school children crisis.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by Mohammed Manga, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Finance, the loan is specifically designated to finance the “Reaching Out-of-School Children” programme.
This large-scale intervention will target vulnerable populations, including girls, children with disabilities, and internally displaced persons.
The statement read: “In a significant step towards improving access to quality education in Nigeria, the Federal Government and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development have partnered to support the Reaching Out-of-School Children programme in Kaduna State. This partnership is built on a $25.35m concessionary loan agreement signed today between the Federal Government of Nigeria, on behalf of Kaduna State and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development. The facility forms part of a wider $62.8m blended package with international partners that will expand access to quality, inclusive education and improve learning outcomes for some of Nigeria’s most vulnerable children.”
The program is ambitious, aiming to enroll over 100,000 children, construct or upgrade more than 200 schools, and significantly improve both the learning environment and the capacity of teachers in underserved areas across the state.
Under the framework of the new programme, 102 new climate-resilient schools will be built, and 170 existing schools and learning centers will be rehabilitated, with particular emphasis on marginalized groups and hard-to-reach communities.
Mr. Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, represented at the signing by the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, highlighted the government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and measurable outcomes in social sector investments.
He stressed that with millions of children still out of school, particularly in northern Nigeria, “each dollar of intervention must translate into real and visible progress.”
Edun commended Kaduna State for its proactive leadership and strong engagement with partners, expressing confidence that the initiative could serve as a model for replication across other states.
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, reaffirmed the state’s prioritization of education, disclosing that Kaduna had already fulfilled its counterpart funding commitment of $1 million.
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He also noted that the state had increased the education sector’s share of the 2025 budget to 26 percent, as part of a broader commitment to human capital development.
Dr. Wahid Al-Bahar, Director-General of the Kuwait Fund, described the project as an “investment in hope,” noting that its goals extend beyond infrastructure.
He expressed pride in supporting an initiative that aims to guarantee access to learning for every child, stressing that success would be judged by improved enrolment, stronger learning outcomes, and community engagement.
The other partners contributing to the $62.8 million financing structure include:
- Islamic Development Bank: $10.5 million loan
- Global Partnership for Education: $15.45 million grant
- Education Above All Foundation: $10 million grant
- Save the Children International: $0.5 million in technical assistance
- Kaduna State Government: $1 million contribution
The Federal Ministry of Finance will oversee the program’s fiduciary processes and coordinate results reporting in collaboration with the state and partner organizations.
This will involve routine joint assessments covering enrolment rates, teacher training metrics, and academic performance indicators to ensure the program delivers measurable and sustainable impact.